Kevin: Those TALL trees are your friends!! A rope over a big fork in one of those trees makes a great place to pull the center up of your Inverted V doublet!.
My antenna "Launcher" is an H/D 6 ft+ long fishing pole. I use small "Kite String" maybe 80 lbs. test rated twine. I can get couple hundred feet on an old Salt-water reel. I then use a
heavy bell or long catfish sinker on the end. Give it a big heave at a larger fork in the trees. Takes practice. I have over time gotten pretty good at it. Then once I have a spot I like, I cut the sinker off and tie a bigger size twine or small rope and use the reel and rod to pull it back over the limb.
Then tie on my final rope, like 3/8ths or 1/2 inch Double Dacron pulling rope. Now you have a great place to tie the center of the inverted V!!!
Yes, conditions are everything. You have already seen how different antennas react to changing conditions. You have already seen how with these changing conditions, where one antenna has a better "capture" angle than another at any given time.
NO, your effort was not wasted. Now you look for ways to improve your design, and maximize your signal, so "Mother Nature" does not affect it by rain/wind/corrosion, etc.
A well set-up 40/15m vertical is a good antenna, then add your 130' ft inverted V Doublet and a good manual tuner you will have a nice system, that will give you good service.
Believe me when I say, in this era of
"Buy it off the RACK" antenna systems some call great.
You will "Stomp" them into the dust!
Your journey is just beginning!
Many here to help!
All the Best
Gary
PS: PM, me your address
if you like then I can look to see if there is a good Sattelite view and can give you some ideas.